Capello can end barren run, says Gerrard

Steven Gerrard has admitted time is running out for him to win a trophy with
England - but he is optimistic new coach Fabio Capello can help him achieve that
ambition.

The Liverpool midfielder, currently preparing for Capello's first game in
charge against Switzerland tomorrow night, is as frustrated as anyone that the
so called `golden generation' have not delivered the goods.

And the hurt of failing to qualifying for Euro 2008 will intensify for Gerrard
when he watches the tournament during the summer.

But the 27-year-old is hopeful Capello can finally help him and the remainder
of the squad to live up to the expectations of the nation.

He said: 'I feel the need to win something. I'm 28 in the summer and you
would think the chances of being in a successful England team are running out.

'I've played in good teams but, in the end, teams that have been knocked out
in the last eight of tournaments, or most recently failed to qualify for one.

'I want to make the most of it over the next four to six years so I can look
back over my England career and think, `I played in a successful team'.

'We will have to wait and see what the future brings in terms of results but
there is certainly a big excitement in the squad that the new manager has been
put in charge of.

'He has got a wonderful CV and, wherever he has been, he has been successful.
England have got one of the best managers in the world.

'As a player, you think, `can he make these good players we have got into a
successful winning team?' - and I am confident that can happen.

'The players with ability are there and hopefully the manager can make us
difficult to beat, exciting going forward and bring some successful results to
the table.'

Gerrard admits he was quickly impressed by Capello, who communicated with the
squad in English at a team meeting and at their first training session.

He said: 'Fabio has the aura all top managers have. When he walks in the
room, he has got an aura about him and those are the type of managers you want
to play for.

'When you look someone in the eye at a team meeting, you get a feel for
someone straight away.

'I think about the third, fourth and fifth words which came out of his mouth
were `winning football matches' so he let us know early doors what he wanted
from us.

'I wouldn't say you have to intimidate the players but I think as a manager
you have to get their respect and let them know who is the boss and what he says
goes - and we as players have to adapt to that.'

Shaun Wright-Phillips missed England training last night but could still be
available tomorrow.

The Chelsea midfielder was rested as a precaution while the rest of the squad
trained at Wembley and medical staff were set to assess his fitness today before
making a decision.

A Football Association spokesman confirmed: 'Shaun Wright-Phillips did not
train at Wembley.